TRAINING COURSE „ Mind over Media “
6th – 14th September, Nova Gradiška, Croatia
Dear partners and participants, in this document you will find all important information about our training course that will be held in September in Nova Gradiška, Croatia.
Please read the information carefully!
This Information Pack shall provide you with all the necessary information to guarantee a great, interesting, educational, funny, respectful, joyful and creative experience.
Looking forward to see you soon ☺
Summary
Project "Mind over Media" features a 7-day training course focusing on analyzing social media, identifying misinformation, and addressing digital stress.
The training course will be addressed to 28 participants, with members of training team, coming from Croatia, Spain, Lithuania, Serbia, Romania, Sweden, Moldova and Italy. It will be held in Nova Gradiška, Croatia from 6th until 14th of September 2025 (14th being the departure date)
The course of the program follows the general principles of non-formal learning. Its goal is to equip educators, social workers, and youth leaders with skills to foster critical thinking and support youth mental health in the digital age.
Objectives of the project: Equip youth workers with tools to foster critical thinking and address mental health challenges among youth in the digital age; Promote non-formal methods to engage young people in analyzing social media/AI impacts on mental well-being; Facilitate cross-border collaboration among professionals to share innovative practices; Develop practical resources (e.g., Mind over Media Pocket Guide) for widespread use in youth work.
Participants will transfer their knowledge through local workshops, sparking EU-wide discussions on media literacy. Funded under Erasmus+, the project promotes inclusion, sustainability, and cross-border collaboration to strengthen youth resilience in the digital era.
Hosting Organization
The Association for the promotion of active participation Studio B is a non-governmental and a nonprofit organization situated in the eastern part of Croatia. The organization was founded with the aim to achieve a balanced development of local communities as well as the development of civil society. We strive to promote and improve the rights of youth and increase the quality of youth activities while increasing their level of information. The scope of activity of the Association in accordance with the objectives is: - Democratic political culture - Human rights - Education, Science and Research - Social Activities - Sustainable development Our target groups are children, youth and women from rural area. Our mission is to support young people from our region, develop non-formal education, entrepreneurship, creativity, environmental consciousness, foster democracy, human rights and develop solidarity and tolerance among young. An important priority for us is to ensure inclusion of all people, including young people with fewer opportunities; especially those with geographical obstacles.
Mental health, as a wider topic, has been in the focus of our work since our founding and we have done several projects on this topic, as follows: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange with the aim to raise awareness and promote mental health among youth under the name “Health+ talks” that was implemented in 2018. Since November 2023 we are implementing a project called “METAPHOR” funded through European Youth Together action, as partners, with the topic of mental health promotion. Through this project we have implemented national research on the topic with 100 participants, organized one of the trainings within the project and participated in another one held in Serbia, and currently we are working on a mental health promotion campaign. Moreover, we have implemented a youth exchange with the aim to develop critical thinking among youth and increase media literacy under the name “Let me think about it”. Currently, we are also implementing as partners an Erasmus+ KA2 project with the topic of using digital and AI tools in mental health promotion.
Partner organizations
ASOCIACIÓN JUVENIL ERASMIAU, SPAIN
ASOCIACIJA "KELIAUK PIRMYN", LITHUANIA
ASOCIATIA
PENTRU DEZVOLTARE ACTIVA, ROMANIA
AO „DEFACTO, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
JÖNKÖPINGS KOMMUN, SWEDEN
UDRUŽENJE SVETLOST, SERBIA
COOPERATIVA SOCIALE ATYPICA ARL, ITALY
Participants
Our main target group consists of youth workers, social workers, educators, group leaders, and youth leaders, with experience in youth work, who understand the importance of critical thinking and are motivated to disseminate knowledge upon returning home.
Participants should be eager to expand their knowledge and skills and committed to applying and sharing what they learn within their communities. They should see critical thinking as a vital tool to help young people navigate an information-heavy and fast-paced world and are dedicated to fostering independent thinkers and future leaders.
A good level of English and a willingness to implement and disseminate the acquired knowledge are essential to maximize the project’s impact.
We are welcoming: youth workers and persons in other relevant positions in youth work; youth workers working with marginalized youth; youth workers and youth leaders who are motivated in upgrading their knowledge on critical thinking; youth workers and youth leaders who are currently working on, or are interested to work on, the topic of critical thinking and mental health in the youth work context; youth workers working with depressive youth and youngsters who are struggling with social interaction before and since the COVID pandemic.
Working methods and preparation for project
The project will use hands-on, interactive methods to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Structured workshops will make up 60% of the activities, focusing on trainer-led sessions. Another 20% will involve open-space activities where participants lead discussions, while the remaining 20% will center on guided sessions for reflection, teamwork, and networking. The approach relies on "learning by doing," using icebreakers, group tasks, games, small-group work, and reviews to keep everyone involved. Practical workshops will use simple, easy-to-find materials to ensure affordability and accessibility.
Experienced trainers will assess participants’ needs, set clear goals aligned with Erasmus+ and partner organizations’ priorities, and carefully select participants. They will provide ongoing support and use feedback to adapt the program. Participants will actively contribute by sharing their skills and ideas, helping shape the training. Daily feedback and final evaluations will allow real-time adjustments to improve learning outcomes for everyone.
Before the project starts, partner organizations will stay in regular contact with participants to provide support and ensure they’re fully prepared. Preparatory meetings will be organized to: offer training on cultural differences, language skills, and project topics; assess learning needs and plan follow-up actions; introduce tools like Youthpass and safety measures; and assist with practical tasks like travel bookings or visa applications.
Financial conditions (travel, accommodation)
Accommodation and food: 100% covered by Erasmus + Program
Travel costs: are budgeted according Erasmus + conditions (using the EU distance calculator) https://erasmusplus.ec.europa.eu/resources-and-tools/distance-calculator. They will be reimbursed either by actual cost or according to the maximum available (if they exceed it).
Partners, travel costs and number of participants are as follows:
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Travel (ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE)
The participants should arrive to Nova Gradiška on 6th of September and depart on 14th of September 2025.
Some info about transportation:
1. Zagreb Airport to Zagreb Main bus station timetable: https://plesoprijevoz.hr/en/start/
2. Main bus station: https://www.akz.hr/en
3. Main train station: http://www.hzpp.hr/en
If you arrive by plane to Zagreb, you should take the Zagreb airport public bus that will take you directly to Main Bus Station. Then you should take a bus to Nova Gradiška; there are several busses a day; though we request that you arrive to Nova Gradiška by 7 p.m. latest, so plan your trip accordingly ☺ The ride is approx. 2 hours. You can buy the ticket online on https://www.arriva.com.hr/en-us/home as well. Once you arrive to Nova Gradiška the accommodation facility is only 5-10 minutes by foot. In case you decide to travel by train you
should go from the airport to the Main train station In Zagreb and take a train to Nova Gradiška. However, we highly recommend the bus.
In case you’re planning your trip via other airports we would like to inform you that Nova Gradiška is very well connected with most of the cities in the surrounding, however please inform us about your plans on time so we can give you the best possible advice ☺
We kindly remind you that early accommodation and extra overstays will be your responsibility.
Travel Tips
- Make sure you have a valid (not expired) ID card or a valid Passport.
- Make sure to have your European Health Card in your wallet.
- Pack in your hand luggage some “back-up” clothes and underwear in case your suitcase gets lost in the airport.
- Keep all your boarding passes and travelling tickets otherwise we will not be able to make any reimbursements.
- Only public transportation will be reimbursed (e. g.: taxi at your own expense).
Venue and Accommodation
- The training course will take place in Nova Gradiška, a small city in the Slavonia, east region of Croatia. Further info about Nova Gradiška can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Gradi%C5%A1ka
- Participants will be accommodated in “Hotel Kralj Tomislav”. You can check it out here: https://www.hotelkralj-tomislav.hr/en/home-english/
- The hotel has dedicated spaces for sessions, a dining area with healthy meals, and an old pub in the basement perfect for international nights. Accommodation will be arranged by gender, with 2-3 participants sharing a room. The venue was selected based on previous successful projects and positive participant feedback. The reception is open 24 / 7.
- Internet connection will be available at all venues of the project
- Towels are provided by the accommodation facility but we advise you to bring your own personal hygiene items.
- The venue is in the city center and there are shopping facilities on walking distance
In case you want to arrive in Nova Gradiška, or Croatia, before or stay longer after the training course, you have to arrange your accommodation at your own expense.
What to bring, what to prepare
Intercultural Evening
Please bring something typical from your place: food, drinks, traditional clothes, music, any “strange stuff” to show, tell us some curiosity about your traditions or social behaviors, teach us some dance, play a traditional game, everything but power point presentation and touristic videos from YouTube!
Comfortable clothes
Make sure to bring comfortable clothes. During September average daytime temperatures are around 20- 25 °C, but the nights can be colder, so you should bring some warm clothes.
Personal insurance
Insurance cover for personal effects is the responsibility of the individual participant. You are recommended to ensure that you have adequate medical and travel insurance to cover the period of your stay in Croatia. Neither our organization nor any venue used during the event can entertain claims against loss of or damage to personal property.
PROOF OF ALL THE TRAVEL EXPENSES
If you come by plane, please be sure to bring evidence of the sum actually paid (invoice) and boarding pass. Electronic tickets will only be considered as acceptable on proof of payment (invoice) and on presentation of the boarding pass for the outward journey. Please keep in mind the travel rules of the ERASMUS PLUS Program. If you come by train or bus do not forget to buy a return ticket. Please copy your tickets before you leave your home.
FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT YOU NEED:
- An invoice for the tickets.
- A receipt (showing that you have paid the money) – only for train and bus tickets;
- printed document showing that the money was paid (receipt, bank confirmation etc.) – for the airplane tickets;
- Flight ticket (with the name of the passenger and flight details);
- All boarding passes;
- A printed confirmation of reservation.
Please, make sure that you have all these papers when you come to the training course (of course, the return boarding passes might be sent after the TC).
NB! Please note that we cannot reimburse travel costs if you lose your tickets or we do not receive all details and proofs of your expenses! Also, we can allow for a maximum of 4 days of extra stay in Croatia to reimburse travel costs!
The reimbursement will be done to each partner organization for all of their participants after the dissemination activities are implemented, and upon receiving all travel costs related proofs.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Weather: The average temperature in September is usually around 20- 25 °C degrees, although it can be colder or warmer. Still do not forget to check the weathercast before arrival!
Currency: Croatia is part of the Euro zone and our currency is Euro. In Croatia you can use your credit and debit cards (VISA, Maestro, MasterCard etc.) almost everywhere.
Emergency phone numbers in Croatia:
Emergency number for all purposes: 112 (you can call from any device, regardless the country your phone number comes from).
For any further information or queries you have,
Please do not hesitate to contact us:
Regarding travel options and advice and any question about accommodation: ured.studiob@gmail.com
Regarding training program and project related information: Ivana host.ivana@gmail.com
Phone: +385911734436